Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Bridge to Life

The Gospel explained a little bit differently.....gave me chills.
From BillyGraham.org

Where does my help come from?

Many people say that the process of raising up financial partners for my ministry will stretch my faith in ways that I have never experienced in my life. I agree that it is without a doubt stretching my faith in many ways, but more than that, right now, God is using this time to expose where it is that I put my hope. Does my hope come from the One who Created the heavens and Earth.... and who created me... or do I seek to find hope somewhere else?

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Daily my prayer is that He would expose where I am putting things or people above Him. I'm asking that He reveal to me where I have elevated something or someone to be the source of my hope, rather than going to the Almighty Counselor for the help that I need. I ask Him to prepare the way before me, bless my efforts, be my first love, and yet time after time, I find myself seeking help and refuge in the temporary things of this world and not from Him.

 He who keeps you will not slumber.

His glory brings healing to the sick, hope to the hopeless. He who keeps me does not close His eyes to my needs. He does not sleep when I am hurting, He does not even sleep when I am well. He who keeps me in His arms will not slumber, He will shade me from scorching sunlight, He will be my keeper in the night. 

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

That His glory would pour out over me, that I would sing of His praises by morning and seek His refuge by night. That I would not lose sight of or abandon my true love.... the One who loved me first. That I would rest in the truth that He watches over my coming and my going, both now in this season, and for all time. In every moment He keeps me, and He watches over my life as precious in His sight. How precious am I to Him? I cannot measure the greatness of this kind of love.... And yet how precious is He to me? Not nearly enough as He deserves.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?
  My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.
 He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;
 indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.
 The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.
 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Hello from Orlando!

I cannot begin to explain how awesome new staff training has been. What an incredible five weeks! I am overwhelmed by the men and women here who have so faithfully sought the Lord in their calling to full time ministry. They have been a rock in my life and a light to my path through these past few weeks. As I finish up on our last week of training, I am getting more and more excited to start this new chapter in life. I will have the privilege of working full time to raise up a team who will prayerfully and financially support my ministry. Once all my funds have been raised, I will be able to report to my assignment in .......DRUM ROLL PLEASE............ DALLAS!!!! I cannot tell you how pumped I am to be serving the city of Dallas by reaching college students at North Texas and SMU. It feels so good to know where I am heading. The Lord has been faithful to mold me in this process, edifying my character and increasing my trust in Him. Joining staff with Crusade has proven to be the most faith stretching experience I have ever encountered. Every week here reminds me of the mercy that God has lavished on my life in so many ways. It's God's grace alone that has gotten me to this point, and God's grace alone that will take me through this season of raising support. Will you be praying for me as I finish training and move into this new season of life? Pray that I would have the ability to soak up the knowledge that is being presented, and trust in God for the work He has prepared before me. Thanks so much to all who have partnered with me in this ministry so far, I feel carried on your prayers and blessed by your support and encouragement.